Substitute disposable hogshead



Feb. 11, 1964 w. J. SMITH 3,120,917

- SUBSTITUTE DISPOSABLE HOGSHEAD Filed Feb. l, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet lINVENTOR. //LL/A/v/ d. .SM/7H ATTORNEYS.

Feb. 11, 1964 w. J. SMITH 3,120,917

SUBSTITUTE DISPOSABLE HOGSHEAD Filed Feb. l, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 46 24za zz z/ za/a /a v7 |/5 l l l/ V I l l l INVENTOR- h//LL /AM J. 5M/7'HAWORNHS.

Feb. 11, 1964 w J, SMITH 3,120,917

SUBSTITUTE DISPOSABLE HOGSHEAD Filed Feb, l, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 3INVENTOR.

' 1505 I b 7 W t;

ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent Ofi ice 3,120,917 Patented Feb. 11, 1964 3,120,917SUBSTITUTE DISPOSABLE HOGSHEAD William .lohn Smith, 1011 Ashland Drive,Laurel, Md. Filed Feb. 1, 1962, Ser. No. 170,442 Claims. (Cl. 229-5.7)

This invention relates to a substitute disposable hogshead, and hasparticular applicability to a breboard hogshead which may be employed inpacking tobacco as a substitute for the original wooden hogsheadcontaining the tobacco.

As conducive to a clearer understanding of this invention, it may herebe pointed out that tobacco is customarily tightly packed in heavywooden hogsheads, and that when exporting such tobacco, since taxes andduties are customarily paid for by weight, such heavy hogsheads addmaterially to the shipping and export costs. Animportant object of thisinvention is the provision of hogsheads which may be substituted, afterthe tobacco is originally packed, for the original wooden hogshead,employed for export, and thence disposed of, if desired, or alternatelydisassembled and returned in flat condition for reuse. It is to bepointed out that tobacco after packing retains its shape, and conformsto a generally cylindrical shape corresponding to that of the hogsheador barrel in which it is originally contained. An important object ofthis invention is, therefore, the provision of a relatively light weightfibreboard hogshead which may, after removal of the original hogsheadfrom around the cylindrical bulk of tobacco, be positioned therearoundand secured in such position so that the tobacco may be adequatelycovered and preserved during shipment.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such a substitutehogshead which may be made effectively from a single size blank which isprovided with strap means whereby a plurality of sizes of bulk tobaccopreviously packed may be accommodated by a single hogshead.

A further important object of the invention is the provision of asubstitute breboard hogshead of this character with a plurality of strapmeans along a side thereof so arranged that the upper and lowerdiameters of the hogshead may be varied relative to the centraldiameter, to conform to the normal bulge in the center of theconventional wooden hogshead, and a hogshead secured around a bulk oftobacco so shaped with a minimum of effort and difficulty, and yet inconformation to the interior contour of the tobacco pack.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a hogshead ofthis character which may be employed initially for packing tobacco, ifdesired, under pressure, in which case suitable interior reinforcementis provided.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a hogshead ofthis character which may be readily and expeditiously substituted forthe existing hogshead with a minimum of time and difficulty, which willconform to a variety of sizes and shapes of bulk packed tobacco. whichwill be extremely sturdy and durable in construction, and which will beinexpensive to manufacture.

Still other objects reside in the combinations of elements, arrangementsof parts, and features of construction, all as will be more fullypointed out hereinafter and disclosed in the accompanying drawingwherein:

FIGURE l is a perspective View of one form of hogshead, shown in closedposition, embodying elements of the instant invention.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along theline 2 2 of FIG. 1 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary detail sectional view takensubstantially along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1 as viewed in the directionindicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary d-etail sectional view takensubstantially along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1 as viewed in the directionindicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary detail perspective view showing constructionaland assembly details.

FIGURE 6 is a plan view of the blank from which the hogshead is madeprior to machining and assembly.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary perspective detail showing a modified form ofconstruction.

FIGURE 8 is a plan view similar to FIG. 5 but showing a modified form ofblank for the construction of a hogshead; and

FIGURE 9 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing a modified form ofconstruction.

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary view of a modified form of closure strip.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views of the drawing.

Having reference now to the drawings in detail, the assembled hogsheadof the instant invention is generally indicated at l0 and includes anannular side wall formed from a blank 11, as best seen in FIG. 6. Theblank 11 may be made of one piece, and is customarily so treated.However, for the interest of saving space and weight in shipping, twocomplementary sections 11a and 11b are usually provided and are stitchedtogether by a line of staples 12 down the center, the ends overlappingas best seen in FIG. 2. Each blank is formed with a row of score lines,at top and bottom, which are folded and then sawed to form cleats. Thetop of the ban-el, for example, is first folded along the line 13 toform a horizontal top section 14 and is then folded downwardly along thefold or score line 15 to form an inner end section 16. A fold along lineI7 forms a second inner section 18 which is then folded downwardly alongthe line 19 to provide a second section 20. A second upper bend alongline 21 forms a section 22 which is downwardly folded along the line 23to form an internal flange 24. After the folding operation saw cuts 25are provided at spaced intervals along the bead formed by the folds andthrough the side wall of the hogshead to a depth equal to the height ofthe bead in order to form cleats 26, as best seen in FIG. 1. By virtueof these cleats the entire assembly may be folded into the circular formof FIGS. l and 2.

The lower extremity of the barrel is similarly formed, and bent inwardlyas at the fold line 27 to form a horizontal bottom portion 28 which isinturned along the line 29 to form an inner surface 30 which in turn isfolded on line 31 to provide a first reinforcing section 32. This inturn is bent upwardly along the line 33 to form a further inner section34 which is bent downwardly along the fold line 3S to form a furtherreinforcing section 36. This section 36 is bent upwardly along the line37 and forms an elongated flange section 38 substantially identical tothe section 24. The bottom cleats are then formed by means of saw cuts39 identical to the cuts 35. A bottom member 43 is formed for placementon the bead or flange formed by the several cleats. Member 43 hasintegrally secured thereto by nails 436 half round wooden sections 40which form an annular flange seating against the cleats.

The side wall of the barrel is held together by clamping means such as aU-shaped longitudinal metal strip 45 which is inserted through anelongated vertical slot 46 in the half portion 11b and which is providedwith a plurality of spaced slotted openings 44. A second similarclamping means or U-shaped member 47 is oppositeiy positioned on anextending flap or tongue 48 formed on the opposite end of section 11a,the tongue 4S underlying a flat portion on tongue 49 on the end ofsection 11b outwardly of the slot 45. Tying means such as metal tiestraps S1 are inserted through slotted openings 44 in strip 4'5 andsimilar kaligned openings 48 in strip 47, the bands being provided withstandard clinched strapping seals 5t) to hold the hogshead in assembledrelation. The tightening of each tie strap 51 is separately eiiected sothat different diameters of tobacco at the top or bottom and the center,such as the bulge previously formed in the package by the conventionalwooden hogshead, may be accommodated. The straps 51 are also ofsufficient length to permit a relatively wide range in the eiectivediameter and still atlord complete coverage of the tobacco.

After the upper ange or bead has been formed and sawed to form thecleats 26, there is suiiicient give to the bead to permit the insertionof a top 'head 55 .after the side wall has been formed. Half roundsections 56 are fxedly secured to head 55 by nails 55 and may be engagedby transverse nails 57 which are driven through the cleats vand throughopenings 58 in a metallic reinforcing band 59 which is extended aroundthe top of the hogshead for holding 'the band in Vposition andreinforcing the side wall. Similarly, nails or staples 41 driven througha conventional metal band 41 hold the band about the bottom ofthehogshead and may extend through the cleats into the members 4l?.

Under certain circumstances such, for example, as where adequatemachinery for folding the bead to form the cleats is unavailable, woodencleats v53 may be suitably nailed interiorly of the barrel or hogsheadLtda, as shown in FIGURE 7, which is provided with an internal flange24a similar to the flange 24. The closures including the internal halfround sections on the top and bottom sections are identical in thismodification and that previously described. Under these conditions, thetop and bottom heads may be placed in position before `tightening tiestraps 49. This procedure may also be followed with the breboard cleats,previously described, when desired.

It may be desirable under some conditions to form the hogshead of twoseparate sections, as shown in FiGS. 8 and 9, in which case each ofsections lila and lllb lare provided with tongues 14811 and 14811identical to the tongue 48, ilaps i49a and ji9b identical to iiap'49,and slots 146g and 14615. The fold lines forming the cleats areidentical in both sections in this modification at top and bottom andare ,generally indicated at me and 127, the folding being identical tothat in the vprevious modification. In this case, however, instead or"the line of staples 12, straps 151e and 151i: are provided on each sideof thedevice engaging U-shaped members 14.7a and 1"45a on opposite sidesoi the barrel, the straps being provided with clinched strapping sealsl'tla and 15% for tightening the metal straps.

Under certain conditions it is desired to pack the tobacco or othercontents directly in the hogshead of this invention, under pressure. -Inthese instances sometimes theY strength of the breboard is insulicient,and maybe reinforced -by wooden staves 160 as shown in FIG. 9. Also itis to be understood that these staves may be used with any of theprevious modifications of the device.

FIGURE l0 discloses a modified form of closure strip generally indicatedat "lli, which may be substituted Yfor the strips 45 and 47. In thisform the clamping means is Vcomposed of one or more elongated Apieces offibreboard 71 and 72 which may be secured to the side wall 1'1 by meansof staples 73, either on the outer side adjacent slot A46 or the end oftongue 48, or alternatively with one or more iibreboard piecesron boththe inner and outer sides. Metal eyelets '75, preferably of elongatedshape, but conventional in construction, are punched through the pieces71 and 72 and the adjacent side Wall portion, in a known manner, toprovide openings 'for the straps 51.l

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided animproved substitute disposable hogshead or a barrel which may bemanufactured with a minimum of cost and ditiiculty, which may besubstituted for an existing wooden hogshead, which may be shipped in datcondition, which is sturdy and durable in construction, reliable andeiiicient inl operation, which is simple and inexpensive to manufactureand utilize, and which accomplishes'all the objects of this invention,and others, including many advantages of great practical utility andcommercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as manymodiiications may be made in the embodiments hereinbefore shown anddescribed, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to beinterpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

l. A disposable hogshead comprised of a sheet of iibreboard having alongitudinal slot adjacent one end and a flap extending beyond saidslot, a clamping metal member having vertical spaced openings in saidslot, la second metal clamping member secured to the other end of saidsheet and having vertical spaced openings therein, a plurality of tiestraps extended through aligned openings in said clamping member and aclinched strapping seal on each strap whereby the effective diameter ofsaid hogshead at diierent portions of yits height may be varied, saidiiap utilizing the space between said clamping members to form aneffective closure.

2. The structure of claim l wherein cleats are formed on the top andbottom edges of said sheet and top and bottom heads are seated on saidcleats.

3. The structure of claim 2 wherein said cleats are integrally formed ofreverted folds of the sheet.

`4. The structure of claim 1 wherein two sheets are provided in alignedrelationship and each is provided with a slot, `a ap and clampingmembers to provide diametrically opposed vtie strap tightening means.

5. A hogshead comprised of a sheet of bendable material having two ends,a rst clamping means having vertically spaced openings therein, saidfirst clamping means secured inwardly from one end of said sheet, a flapextending beyond said first clamping'means, a second clamping meanshaving laligned vertically spaced openings therein, said second clampingmeans secured to the other end of said sheet, and atleast one adjustabletying means L extending through aligned openings in said first andsecond clamping means 'to hold said sheet in substantially cylindricalform. v

6. A hogshead in accordance with claim 5 wherein said tirst and secondclamping means are comprised of elongated strips of said bendablematerial.

7. A hogshead in accordance with claim 6 wherein said openings in eachVof said clamping means are dened by eyelets extending through andsecured to said sheet of bendable --material and `said strip of bendablematerial forming said-clamping means.

8. A hogshead in accordance with claim 5 wherein a slot Iis defined insaid sheet spaced inwardly from said one end, said first clamping meanscomprising a U-shaped strip disposed in said slot and said secondclamping means comprising a U-shaped strip secured to said other end ofsaid sheet.

9. A hogshead in accordance with claim 5 wherein a plurality ofadjustable tying means extend through vertically -spaced pairs olfaligned `openings in said rst and second clamping means.

10. A hogshead in accordance with claim 5 wherein each of saidadjustable tying means is comprised of a tie strap with a clinchedstrapping seal.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS327,589 Preater Oct. 6, 1885 962,938 Brown et al Iune 28, 1910 2,344,861Fowler Mar. 21, 1944 2,989,219 Overton June 20, 19611 2,989,220 OvertonJune 20, 19611

1. A DISPOSABLE HOGSHEAD COMPRISED OF A SHEET OF FIBREBOARD HAVING ALONGITUDINAL SLOT ADJACENT ONE END AND A FLAP EXTENDING BEYOND SAIDSLOT, A CLAMPING METAL MEMBER HAVING VERTICAL SPACED OPENINGS IN SAIDSLOT, A SECOND METAL CLAMPING MEMBER SECURED TO THE OTHER END OF SAIDSHEET AND HAVING VERTICAL SPACED OPENINGS THEREIN, A PLURALITY OF TIESTRAPS EXTENDED THROUGH ALIGNED OPENINGS IN SAID CLAMPING MEMBER AND ACLINCHED STRAPPING SEAL ON EACH STRAP WHEREBY THE EFFECTIVE DIAMETER OFSAID HOGSHEAD AT DIFFERENT PORTIONS OF ITS HEIGHT MAY BE VARIED, SAIDFLAP UTILIZING THE SPACE BETWEEN SAID CLAMPING MEMBERS TO FORM ANEFFECTIVE CLOSURE.